Initiation apparatus.



N0 MODEL.

PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904.

P. F. HABERSTIGK.

INITIATION APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 14. 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHBET 1 Fl 7 lnranivr a mfawmm No. 766,614. PATENTED AUG. 2,190.4. P. F. HABBRSTIGK.

INITIATION APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 14. 1904.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

UNITED STATES Patented August 2, 1904.

PATENT OEEIcE.

INITIATION APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 766,614, dated Augu 2,1904.

Application filed April 14,1904. Serial No. 203,162. (No model.) i

To (all 7071/0712, it m/q concern:

Be itknown that I, PETER F. HAB ERSTICK, a citizen of the United Statesof America, and a resident of IVheeling, county of Ohio, and State ofWest Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inInitiation Apparatus, of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to initiation devices, and more particularly to adevice especially adapted for initiation purposes; and it consists inthe particular construction, arrangement, and combination of parts whichwill hereinafter be fully described.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an illusion apparatusfor initiation purposes, the same being adapted for creating in theimagination of a blindfolded person placed thereon a delusion to theeffect that he is suspended in the air upon an unstable platform and isbeing gradually elevated to a great height.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forproducing a sensation of dizziness in a blindfolded person placedthereon which is somewhat akin to that produced by the continued rockingof a boat.

In describing my invention in detail reference is herein had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which--Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention complete. Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the same, partly in section. Fig. 3 is a rear endelevation of the truck, and Fig. A is an enlarged vertical sectionillustrating the supporting means for the elevated platform.

Referring to said d rawings, in which like reference-numerals designatelike parts throughout the several views. 1 indicates a roadway or trackupon which is mounted a movable truck 2. Said truck consists of a lowplatform 3, mounted upon bolsters A, which rest upon axles 5. Flangedwheels 6 on the ends of said axles support the body of said truck andtravel upon said track 1.

()n said platform 3, at each of the four corners thereof, is mounted apost'T, which posts serve as supports for light spiral springs 8, whichstand in vertical positions with their bases encircling said posts. Aplatform 9 is mounted upon said springs 8 in any suitable manner, butpreferably as shown in the drawings. in which fixed downwardly-extendingposts 10 are held within the upper ends of said spiral springs. Theposts 7 and the posts 10 are each short as compared with the length ofthe springs 8, so that quite a space is left between the free ends ofthe posts. The springs being comparatively light and weak, the platform9 has a decided tendency to sway and rock back and forth from one sideto another, and especially so when subjected to the weight of a personthereon.

At the front end of the track or roadway 1 is provided a Windlass,consisting of upright posts or supports 11, in the upper ends of whichis journaled a crank-shaft 12 with a crank 13 upon one of its outerends. A red 14 is preferably supported by said posts 11, near the basethereof, and a pulley-wheel 15 is mounted on said rod. A rope 16,attached to the front end of the truck 2, is passed about saidpulley-wheel 15 and runs thence to the crank-shaft 12. By manipulatingthe windlass the truck 2 is easily drawn along the track toward saidWindlass.

In operation the subject for initiation is blindfolded and placed uponthe platform 9, which with every movement made by him sways and rocks ina manner which to him is seemingly calculated to upset. Then using thewindlass the truck is slowly drawn forward, producing in the subject thebelief that he is being slowly drawn high in the air upon an unstablefooting, with all the sensations usually accompanying such aperformance. A ratchet 17, secured upon one end of the crank-shaft 12,with a spring 18 in engagement therewith, serves the double purpose ofholding the truck against retraction on the track and of a noise-makerwhich assists in adding confusion to the subject and in carrying out thedeception.

It will be seen from the foregoing that I have described my invention ina simple form; but it is obvious that various slight changes may be madein the construction and in the arrangement of parts without departingfrom the general spirit or scope of the invention.

Hence I donot desire to limit myself to the precise construction hereinshown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an initiation apparatus, a truck, spiral springs, swayablelaterally in all directions, mounted on said truck, and a platformmounted upon said springs to sway and rock therewith, substantially asdescribed.

2. In an initiation apparatus, a truck, spiral springs, laterallyswayable in all directions, mounted upon said truck, said springsadapted to sway unimpeded, a platform mounted upon said springs to swayand rock thereon, a windlass, and a rope connecting said Windlass withsaid truck, substantially as described.

8. In an initiation apparatus, a truck, a stationary platform on saidtruck, short posts on each of the four corners of said platform, spiralsprings, swayable laterally and unimpededly in all directions, mountedupon said posts, and a second platform mounted upon adapted to swayunimpeded in all directions, and a platform mounted on said springs andswayable therewith, substantially as described.

Signed by me in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. I PETER F.HABERSTIGK.

WVitnesses:

H. E. DUNLAP, RoBT. F. DILWORTH.

' upright positions on said truck, said springs

